DEREK JETER! DEREK JETER! DEREK JETER!

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In a day and age when athletes don't really deserve our adulation there seems to be one guy who stands above the rest. No drug busts, no mention of steroids, you can't even really get a handle on what beautiful girl he's dating.

Day in and day out, playing hurt, and saying the right things. Last night, he tied Lou Gehrig for the all-time Yankee hit lead. Say it together like the crowd at the stadium:

DEREK JETER! DEREK JETER! DEREK JETER! DEREK JETER! DEREK JETER! DEREK JETER!

My plan had been to get to sleep early last night, but Jeter got base hits in two of his first three at-bats. I just knew he'd get another hit his next time up. And do you know how I knew?

Because I've watched him nearly every night for the past 13 years - and he has hardly ever let me down. He's dependable. He goes to the game ready to do his job.

Sure enough - a Jeterian single to right, and his family hugged in the box high above the field.

As he clapped his hands it occurred to me that I was thoroughly happy for a man who was making more money then everyone reading this combined, and that he was living the life of a pampered athlete who hasn't dealt with a 12-hour day of pouring concrete, or stripping a roof.

Yet I wasn't jealous of the adulation - I was happy for him and his parents, and sister - and you know why?

Because he's never once rubbed our faces in it. He's been very respectful of the game, his team, and mostly the fans.

After the game he said he was real uncomfortable with the standing ovation because the Rays were winning the game and he felt it was disrespectful to them to hold the game up.

I've watched him banter with the kids at the stadium, taking their caps off to rub their heads, signing bats and balls. I've heard him speak of coaches and managers, addressing them only as Mr. Torre, and Mr. Berra. I watched an interview with him where he was asked who he'd take with him into a bunker in wartime - He answered, "I'd have to take two people - my Mom and Dad."

I've watched him grow up - and now he's mentioned with Ruth and Gehrig and Mantle and DiMaggio.

Congrats to the Captain. Thanks for the memories.

Sure is better than running down bystanders at a streetlight, or choking your girlfriend, or getting a DWI, or hosting a reality show, or complaining about your contract, or euthanizing dogs.

PS: Won't I be obnoxious when they win the World Series this year?

Comments

Carrie Lynn Fazzolari said…
He's dating THIS beautiful girl... didn't you see my blog picture? I'd have to fight Mom off of him, which is why I haven't introduced him to the family.
10 September, 2009
Larry L said…
Go Yankees! My Braves are all but done, but I still watch.
10 September, 2009
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